I am wiring you out of the utmost urgency. As you must know, all semblance of law and order has broken down at St. Augustine, Florida. In the last forty-eight hours, we have witnessed raw and rampant violence even beyond much of what we have experienced in Alabama and Mississippi.

Our demonstrations have been absolutely nonviolent. Yet the only police restraint has been directed at those who seek the just goals of our democratic heritage in the nation’s oldest city. One of my closest aides has been brutally beaten, newsmen have been attacked and their cameras destroyed, the homes of our people have been shot into and at least three attempts at assassination have been made against SCLC staff.

We call on you as President of our nation to use the influence of your high office to immediately provide Federal protection through the Department of Justice for the members of the negro community who seek redress of their grievances under the first amendment. The Chief of Police has publically admitted that he does not have the resources to restrict the violent onslaught of the racist opposition. We cannot in good conscience postpone our nonviolent thrust merely because violence has erupted against us but we sincerely believe that as American citizens our right to peaceable assembly must be guaranteed and not abridged because of the unrestrained lawlessness of the Klan element. Unless immediate and decisive action is taken, those who have degenerated to the use of violence will be encouraged and there will be inescapably the needless loss of life and property. Very truly yoursMartin L. King Jr. Pres S.C.L.C.